Database Users

[Q] Android geniuses, help me! Smashed Nexus 4 screen after 6 days, options?

Hey guys I need some advice on what to do with my Nexus 4 - I had it for less than a week when it slid right onto the kitchen tiles, and as a result I have an unrooted Nexus 4 with developer options disabled, a pattern screen lock and a completely smashed and unresponsive touch screen.
I don't want to fix the screen if I can help it as I would just end up selling it and would basically break even on just the repairs.
From my current position is there any way to get the phone functional in terms of being able to use a keyboard and mouse with it, perhaps as a server or some other capacity like that?
Please list any and all ideas of how you would proceed from here, from the research I've done it seems as though I'm severely limited by the fact I can't change certain settings without the touchscreen working (Such as getting OTG working)
PS. I don't care about getting data back, just want to be able to use the phone in some way so it's not a complete loss, if possible!

GrombleTromble said:
Hey guys I need some advice on what to do with my Nexus 4 - I had it for less than a week then I thought it would be fun to drop it on the kitchen tiles, and as a result I have an unrooted Nexus 4 with developer options disabled, a pattern screen lock and a completely unresponsive touch screen.
I don't want to fix the screen if I can help it as I would just end up selling it and would basically break even on just the repairs.
From my current position is there any way to get the phone functional in terms of being able to use a keyboard and mouse with it, perhaps as a server or some other capacity like that?
Please list any and all ideas of how you would proceed from here, from the research I've done it seems as though I'm severely limited by the fact I can't change certain settings without the touchscreen working (Such as getting OTG working)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wonder how did u think of such S**t with this Lovely baby.
You had FUN! Now just pay the price for having fun with the unresponsive screen. Njoy.

Rohit :/ He didn't mean it literally. you are shame for us Indians..
OP - nexus 4 can't output enough power to use a keyboard or mouse.. Boot into recovery factory reset and flash a kernel that supports OTG. Then MAYBE with a Y-Cable you could connect a device to use.. though I doubt it.. Go to your nearest LG shop and repair it and BUY A CASE.

GrombleTromble;4178069..
PS. I don't care about getting data back said:
1.Cough up $150 to LG to fix it.
2. Read the return policy. In 2012, It stated you can "return the device for ANY reason within 14 days". In 2013, its been revised.
3. Sale it on amazon and ebay for $200-250.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

[Q] Help dealing with ghost typing

UPDATE:
It seems the problem I have is ghost typing. Based on FourPointedFreak suggestion, I activated the Show Touches option in the Developer Options menu, and now I see ghost presses on the touchscreen, always in the same place, about 1.5 inches from the bottom and 0.5 inches from the left. If I try pressing with my finger in the same spot when the mark shows up, it slides down before I can even get to the screen. If googled it, and it's been reported on some Android phones and ipads, but not on the S4, and there is no agreement if it is hardware or software.
If you've dealt with something like this before, even with a different device, your input would be most welcome. I'm planning to change ROM tomorrow or early next week, and see if the problem continues. And clean my screen with a soapy moist towel, so far I've only used a cloth for glasses to clean it.
I'm really hoping it's a software issue as I don't want to do a warranty replacement, I'd be most probably get a device on MF3. But if it is hardware I'd rather have that than a faulty device. I got it refurbished as a replacement for an Xperia Ion, and I only have one more month left of warranty.
Again, any input especially from past experiences would be greatly appreciated.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LAST UPDATE:
It seems the problem is hardware, as the false inputs in the screen happen also in TWRP while trying to flash the new ROM. I guess any mod can close this thread now.

josemald said:
Hi everybody, in the last week I've had issues with the display. First it started like going up and down in scroll menus, like if I was scrolling up and down around a certain position very fast. In the last two days, after that happens, the touchscreen gets unresponsive (it didn't use to happen before), including the menu and back buttons, only the hardware buttons work. Home screen button works fine, but I can't do anything in the screen. The only solution is to turn the screen off, enter PIN, and then it starts working. A couple of times the screen keyboard started acting weird when I was typing, for example if I wanted to move the cursor in an email the keyboard interpreted as if I was pressing a key, which was way below. Again turning the screen off and on solved it.
I'm using Mint Jelly ROM, which has been stable for almost two months. I recently updated the modem to MF3, but only the modem and not the firmware. The screen issues were happening before that, it just got worse today. I also tried freezing Samsung WatchOn, which started acting out by showing itself on the notification panel even though I had selected the option for it to not appear, and I uninstalled the Software Update app (used for OTA updates) using Titanium Pro, since I saw it in the list of running processes. The problem still continues.
Is it possible that this is a hardware issue? I have 1 more month of the warranty (I got it as a warranty replacement for a Sony Xperia, so it wasn't new). If I don't need to send it back I would prefer not to, since the one I'd get would probably come locked with MF3 firmware. If you have any ideas on how to debug this, I would appreciate the input. I haven't installed any new app recently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, you're definitely smart for doing your research before just pulling the warranty card.
I would do some testing and research with the phone to figure out what the cause is. It doesn't sound like something that can be just 'debugged'.
Go into your developer options on the phone and enable a few things.
To get developer options, go to System Settings > More > About Device and tap on "Build Number" until it says you've enabled it.
Then go into Developer Options (Above About Device) and under input, select both options "Show Touches" and "Show Pointer Location". Then under Monitoring, enable "Enable Traces" for anything applicable to what you're having problems with.
Some of these settings may be annoying, but continue to use the phone as you would. See if it's adding and doing things you're not, this would show clear signs of a malfunction with the firmware. Check for dead pixels too. Sometimes a dead pixel can cause things like you're dealing with. Where something is selected on the screen much lower than where you pressed and variations of that.
Also, have you tried reflashing your ROM to see if that makes a difference?

FourPointedFreak said:
Well, you're definitely smart for doing your research before just pulling the warranty card.
I would do some testing and research with the phone to figure out what the cause is. It doesn't sound like something that can be just 'debugged'.
Go into your developer options on the phone and enable a few things.
To get developer options, go to System Settings > More > About Device and tap on "Build Number" until it says you've enabled it.
Then go into Developer Options (Above About Device) and under input, select both options "Show Touches" and "Show Pointer Location". Then under Monitoring, enable "Enable Traces" for anything applicable to what you're having problems with.
Some of these settings may be annoying, but continue to use the phone as you would. See if it's adding and doing things you're not, this would show clear signs of a malfunction with the firmware. Check for dead pixels too. Sometimes a dead pixel can cause things like you're dealing with. Where something is selected on the screen much lower than where you pressed and variations of that.
Also, have you tried reflashing your ROM to see if that makes a difference?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the suggestions!
Do you think it´s possible that the problem was caused by a dirty screen? I know it sounds a bit insane, but yesterday I wiped off my screen to clear dust and smudges, and since that I haven´t had any issues with the phone. This is the third touch screen device I had, I've never seen something like this, but also the S4 screen is a lot more sensitive than my previous devices. Could it be that too much dust and grease made the phone interpret that there was some input?

josemald said:
Thanks for the suggestions!
Do you think it´s possible that the problem was caused by a dirty screen? I know it sounds a bit insane, but yesterday I wiped off my screen to clear dust and smudges, and since that I haven´t had any issues with the phone. This is the third touch screen device I had, I've never seen something like this, but also the S4 screen is a lot more sensitive than my previous devices. Could it be that too much dust and grease made the phone interpret that there was some input?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would think it's 'possible' but it would have to be thick and really caked on there to make a difference. That may have just been a coincidence of timing with your issue. But perhaps it is.
Maybe go buy a cheap screen protector to help with finger prints and dirt and see if it gets better?

If it persists, I would factory wipe and install the stock ROM through Odin. Use it a bit completely stock and see if the screen works. If the issue continues then its an hardware problem and i would take a video and e-mail Samsung about it with the video. I've actually had this problem before and that's because my phone was cold as hell. Doing a lot of benchmarks so i put it in the freezer (I would NOT recommend that) and my screen started acting up and it pressed random things like yours.

crzykiller said:
If it persists, I would factory wipe and install the stock ROM through Odin. Use it a bit completely stock and see if the screen works. If the issue continues then its an hardware problem and i would take a video and e-mail Samsung about it with the video. I've actually had this problem before and that's because my phone was cold as hell. Doing a lot of benchmarks so i put it in the freezer (I would NOT recommend that) and my screen started acting up and it pressed random things like yours.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a good idea. Just make sure you flash the custom ROM appropriately as not to brick your device.
Sent from my AT&T SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 via XDA Premium Mobile App

FourPointedFreak said:
That's a good idea. Just make sure you flash the custom ROM appropriately as not to brick your device.
Sent from my AT&T SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 via XDA Premium Mobile App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems the problem I have is ghost typing. Based on FourPointedFreak suggestion, I activated the Show Touches option in the Developer Options menu, and now I see ghost presses on the touchscreen, always in the same place, about 1.5 inches from the bottom and 0.5 inches from the left. If I try pressing with my finger in the same spot when the mark shows up, it slides down before I can even get to the screen. If googled it, and it's been reported on some Android phones and ipads, but not on the S4, and there is no agreement if it is hardware or software.
If you've dealt with something like this before, even with a different device, your input would be most welcome. I'm planning to change ROM tomorrow or early next week, and see if the problem continues. And clean my screen with a soapy moist towel, so far I've only used a cloth for glasses to clean it.
I'm really hoping it's a software issue as I don't want to do a warranty replacement, I'd be most probably get a device on MF3. But if it is hardware I'd rather have that than a faulty device. I got it refurbished as a replacement for an Xperia Ion, and I only have one more month left of warranty.
Again, any input especially from past experiences would be greatly appreciated.

josemald said:
It seems the problem I have is ghost typing. Based on FourPointedFreak suggestion, I activated the Show Touches option in the Developer Options menu, and now I see ghost presses on the touchscreen, always in the same place, about 1.5 inches from the bottom and 0.5 inches from the left. If I try pressing with my finger in the same spot when the mark shows up, it slides down before I can even get to the screen. If googled it, and it's been reported on some Android phones and ipads, but not on the S4, and there is no agreement if it is hardware or software.
If you've dealt with something like this before, even with a different device, your input would be most welcome. I'm planning to change ROM tomorrow or early next week, and see if the problem continues. And clean my screen with a soapy moist towel, so far I've only used a cloth for glasses to clean it.
I'm really hoping it's a software issue as I don't want to do a warranty replacement, I'd be most probably get a device on MF3. But if it is hardware I'd rather have that than a faulty device. I got it refurbished as a replacement for an Xperia Ion, and I only have one more month left of warranty.
Again, any input especially from past experiences would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I have heard the term "ghost typing" before. I couldn't seem to find much information or help on the subject as I'm sure you noticed as well. To me, and many others on the internet - this doesn't seem software related to me. This would seemingly be an issue with the hardware. Maybe the screen itself, the data connectors for the screen's signals - could be all kinds of things.
If I were in your shoes and you really like the S4, i'd just take advantage of the month you have left on your warranty and get a new device. If, and they probably will, they supply you with a new(er) device with MF3 on it, it's not the end of the world. Mine got stuck with it - there are methods to root it even still.
To me, cleaning it just doesn't sound like it's a solution. I've worked for T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon. Only twice had I seen an issue like this where you can attempt to press "E" and another key was hit in place of "E". We never found a fix - this occurred on demo phones so we related the issue to it having demo software.
The only other 'solution' or fix would be to replace to screen to see if it fixes. But since you have a warranty, for the trouble - i'd just get a new device.

FourPointedFreak said:
Yeah, I have heard the term "ghost typing" before. I couldn't seem to find much information or help on the subject as I'm sure you noticed as well. To me, and many others on the internet - this doesn't seem software related to me. This would seemingly be an issue with the hardware. Maybe the screen itself, the data connectors for the screen's signals - could be all kinds of things.
If I were in your shoes and you really like the S4, i'd just take advantage of the month you have left on your warranty and get a new device. If, and they probably will, they supply you with a new(er) device with MF3 on it, it's not the end of the world. Mine got stuck with it - there are methods to root it even still.
To me, cleaning it just doesn't sound like it's a solution. I've worked for T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon. Only twice had I seen an issue like this where you can attempt to press "E" and another key was hit in place of "E". We never found a fix - this occurred on demo phones so we related the issue to it having demo software.
The only other 'solution' or fix would be to replace to screen to see if it fixes. But since you have a warranty, for the trouble - i'd just get a new device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, that's what I'm going to do. It must be hardware related, since the problem also came while I was in TWRP after formatting the phone. I like the S4 but a locked down Android, not so much. If rooting is enough to be able to tether, I might ask for another S4, if not, might as well try to migrate to Windows Phone. It's ridiculous that we have to pay extra just to be able to use our limited data plans to navigate through a different device.
Again, thanks for your help!

josemald said:
Thanks, that's what I'm going to do. It must be hardware related, since the problem also came while I was in TWRP after formatting the phone. I like the S4 but a locked down Android, not so much. If rooting is enough to be able to tether, I might ask for another S4, if not, might as well try to migrate to Windows Phone. It's ridiculous that we have to pay extra just to be able to use our limited data plans to navigate through a different device.
Again, thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem - yeah there is definitely a way to root the MF3 build of the S4.
Since you mentioned it, my only note ***If apps are important to you, Windows Phone is a dangerous field. Many apps available for Android and iOS are not available on Windows Phone. I'd make sure the content you want is available before switching.
I can see why the carriers would charge additionally for tethering. If you can make an extra buck, do it. But it does suck. Especially when you have unlimited data and want to tether.
-Do some research on Windows Phone in case you're seriously considering switching. I wouldn't though

[Q] Locked Out by Android Device Manager (help!)

I don't know if anyone is going to believe this. I decided to test Android Device Manager's lock feature. Worked fine on my tablet. Did not work right on my phone. Now I am locked out of my phone. It would not accept the PIN I selected. I tried sending different PINs and it won't accept any of them! When I change the "message," it does change but the PIN doesn't work.
1) Is there any way to fix this???
2) If not, ugh, if I send an ERASE command, will I be able to get back into the phone?
Help!!
Thanks!
Paul
(I don't know how to prove this isn't a stolen phone - I have full access to it via Device Manager in my google account)

Talked to AT&T. I was screwed. FYI for anyone else... The Android Device Manager Lock may not work right on the AT&T Galaxy S4.

The entire point of locking a phone through ADM is to render it useless for anyone that has stolen it or "found and tried to use it" if it was lost. It's not intended as a tool to be used day to day or for any other reason than loss or theft. As such, I don't see why there would be a need to re-activate the phone after locking it through ADM.
However, if it simply won't let you unlock the lock screen, why not use ODIN to re-flash the firmware and start fresh with an unlocked lock screen?

scott14719 said:
The entire point of locking a phone through ADM is to render it useless for anyone that has stolen it or "found and tried to use it" if it was lost.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should have posted more details. Actually, you can factory reset the phone and it comes out of it fine, albeit factory reset. It doesn't make the phone useless. It just protects the data on your phone with the standard PIN lock screen. It's certainly no kill switch.
To add more info to this - it literally changes the lock screen setting to PIN lock. So, for example, on my tablet, I had a pattern lock. Even after I unlocked it with the ADM PIN I sent, the next time it locked, it was the same PIN lock. I had to go back and change it to the pattern lock.
This is unlike the 3rd party solutions I have used in the past (e.g. Lookout, AVG) which overlay their own lock onto the phone one time only. Once you unlock through their PIN system, the device reverts to whatever locking method you had been using (or none).
This is just what I learned from the experience. Maybe people knew this but it was interesting to me.

PaulQ602 said:
I should have posted more details. Actually, you can factory reset the phone and it comes out of it fine, albeit factory reset. It doesn't make the phone useless. It just protects the data on your phone with the standard PIN lock screen. It's certainly no kill switch.
To add more info to this - it literally changes the lock screen setting to PIN lock. So, for example, on my tablet, I had a pattern lock. Even after I unlocked it with the ADM PIN I sent, the next time it locked, it was the same PIN lock. I had to go back and change it to the pattern lock.
This is unlike the 3rd party solutions I have used in the past (e.g. Lookout, AVG) which overlay their own lock onto the phone one time only. Once you unlock through their PIN system, the device reverts to whatever locking method you had been using (or none).
This is just what I learned from the experience. Maybe people knew this but it was interesting to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the additional info. It's nice to know how it works or is supposed to work. Starting mid-2014, all cell phones sold in the US will be required to have a "kill switch" available. I wonder if it will operate in the same way. I guess time will tell. Again, thanks for the info.

I do wish people who don't read a persons message properly and are not informed on the subject wouldn't waste every ones time posting their drivel aye Scott!
You like so many others state the obvious, I did like your post Paul and thank you for taking the time to post
I have had issues with ADM and have found the application about as useful as Scott's drivel

Backup w/ Broken Screen? (TWRP Installed)

Hey guys, I recently broke the LCD on my Note 3 running stock KitKat ( :crying: ) and realized I hadn't done a nandroid backup in quite some time...
I tried the obvious adb pull, but for some reason I couldn't even get into adb shell or see my device in the device list like I had previously.
I'm all out of ideas now...
Could somebody please throw some help my way?

Does your phone even boot up? Do you get sound, vibration, anything to indicate it's still working internally beside blank screen?
Are you going to try to fix it? buy new one? upgrade to Note 4? Me and my wife used to own GS3 and when she broke her screen, I swapped motherboard with mine to copy pictures mostly and some other stuff, but we werent going to fix it, since I decided to get her GS5.

pete4k said:
Does your phone even boot up? Do you get sound, vibration, anything to indicate it's still working internally beside blank screen?
Are you going to try to fix it? buy new one? upgrade to Note 4? Me and my wife used to own GS3 and when she broke her screen, I swapped motherboard with mine to copy pictures mostly and some other stuff, but we werent going to fix it, since I decided to get her GS5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm getting a replacement through the phone insurance. It does turn on and function perfectly normal, the screen just has a tiny, tiny fracture point with a crack spanning across the screen horizontally, rendering the bottom half unusable. The top half is functioning though.
I cannot unlock my phone or make a backup with the bottom half not working.

Try using a bluetooth mouse or wired mouse with otg cable
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk 2

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2786395
Could help, made for exactly your problem. If you manage to get it working download Nandroid Offline backup, which allows you to make a Nandroid backup from Android itself, rather than CWM/TWRP.
EDIT -- Just checked and it works an absolute treat. Providing you had USB Debugging enabled before your phone got broke, it should work fine. It even has the option to swipe to unlock or disable a pattern unlock if you had one enabled.

Pagnell said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2786395
Could help, made for exactly your problem. If you manage to get it working download Nandroid Offline backup, which allows you to make a Nandroid backup from Android itself, rather than CWM/TWRP.
EDIT -- Just checked and it works an absolute treat. Providing you had USB Debugging enabled before your phone got broke, it should work fine. It even has the option to swipe to unlock or disable a pattern unlock if you had one enabled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the link - it looks like it would be a great solution, but unfortunately I cannot enable USB debugging with the code given :\. I may be out of luck

Well, if nothing else works and data on the phone is that important, then you need to convince the insurance company to send you new Note 3 first and swap the MB as I suggested to retrieve the data, then put everything back to original. I have not done this on Note 3, but GS3 was probably one of easier electronics repairs I've done, just follow one of many youtube videos, to make sure you don't break some wire, before disconnecting. Possibly a shop could do that for you.

Well, freakin sweet deal. After being on the phone with the insurance company and US Cellular for two and a half hours and having them tell me everybody was out of Note 3's and they would only give me $400 bucks for my old phone minus my $175 deductible, I received another call from management at the insurance company apologizing and letting me know that they'd offer me $725.
It just so happens the new Note 4 is $770, so thank the Lord I'm in a good spot!

Bypass the lock screen

Hi all - I imagine this has been asked a thousand times before, but I am new here and in need of some real help.
My brother recently passed away, and his phone (Huwei P Smart 2019) mysteriously went into Airplane Mode, and has no sim card. The lock screen is on and none of the 'usual' numbers or patterns he used appear to work. This phone was his lifeline before he died, using it to speak to doctors and care workers - which is why I do not think he set it to airplane mode himself.
Shortly after he died a 'friend' went to his house to 'secure valuable belongings' and he had my blessing to do so. When I managed to get there, and secure those belongings myself, lo and behold the phone was locked.
Apparently, it does this when it powers up after the battery drains. Apparently, (according to the 'friend') on a reboot it shows a lock screen... and somehow goes into airplane mode. All I know is his two other older android phones do not have passcodes and all are open and accessible after a reboot - I've already been able to check these for data easily enough. I cannot even see what version of the OS is installed, but I'd guess it is the default that the phone came with.
I am not an Android user, and am certainly not a 'power' user of any device, so I don't know if what the 'friend' is telling me is total BS or not. What I do know is there is likely to be some essential information stored on that phone, let alone photos and memories that his family would like - I am specifically looking for any details of his medical treatments and messages he might have received just before he died.
I've trawled around countless 'phone repair' booths in countless malls, and everyone tells me the same thing - it can be opened, but you have to wipe the phone. Obviously, I don't think that'll help as a) I don't want to reuse the phone and b) I need the data from it to help with an ongoing case.
So, the question is, can it be done... and if so, how?
Thanks in advance to all who reply.

Not sure if I believe the story.
Probably with testpoint, with unlocktool, with chimera, with EFT dongle.

I've tried some methods the testpoint methods I tried all erase the data.
All other working methods are on youtube search for huawei frp without data loss and similar search strings, and click on Related videos.
Don't connect the Android to Internet to avoid security update.
Try the method with sim card with PIN however that may need a previous version security.
If there is important data wait some time and check youtube again however there are fake videos on there.
If it's too important probably someone can attack it through some method.
However if you have no good reason to attack this device better move on I do not believe the story with deceased relative and whatever is on the device maybe it's water under the bridge move forward. If not then it is a high cost in your time effort money patience better invested elsewhere.
Whatever the case not judging